The Steelers are 6-2 and in first place of the AFC North as the bye week approaches. A huge second half of the season awaits them after the break, and there should be confidence that they can win the division.
The Steelers have their best record after eight games since 2020. They have now won three in a row and Russell Wilson has provided an extra boost to the offense. In both of Wilson’s first two games with the Steelers they had over 400 yards of offense. The last time the Steelers had back-to-back 400 yard games was in October of 2018.
The last time the offense finished in the top half of the league in yards per game was also in 2018, currently they barely break into that category at 16th. The Steelers are perfect for Wilson, and Wilson is perfect for the Steelers. They are good enough everywhere else, so Wilson doesn’t need to feel pressure to carry the team, much like his best days in Seattle.
For most of the playoff teams in the NFL these types of numbers are really par for the course. They aren’t that impressive, but considering the Steelers somehow never had a losing season without even having an average offense is. Imagine what the Steelers might be able to do now.
Obviously, there is still a lot of work to do though. The first game back from the bye will be a road game against the 5-2 Commanders with rookie Jayden Daniels at quarterback. The Steelers also have all six division games in the last eight weeks of the season.
The good news is that the Steelers are currently three and four games ahead of the Bengals and Browns respectively. They have also won seven of their last eight games against the Ravens, so those division matchups don’t look so imposing.
It would be too bold to say that this team could contend for the Super Bowl at this point. They might have an opportunity to be fighting for home field advantage against the Chiefs on Christmas, where they could elevate themselves into that conversation with a victory.
The defense is doing its job as well, they are currently ninth in the NFL in yards per game. I think they can be more dominant than they have been, but it’s hard to complain when they have won three in a row.
It’s exciting to see the Steelers take a few steps forward that they haven’t taken in years. Let’s hope that translates to a good final half of the season and maybe even their first playoff win since 2016.
